Cantata is a vocal musical work. It is musical composition for voices and instruments, usually on a religious theme, containing arias, choruses and recitatives. We had it in full at Cathedral Church of St. Peter Asaba.

2013 Easter Cantata of Cathedral Church of St. Peter Choir

Sunday, 7th April, 2013 will ever remain memorable in the lives of Music Lovers in and around Asaba. It was the Easter Cantata of Cathedral Church of St Peter Choir Asaba. It was a display of Musical artistry by not only the host Choir but also various Church Choirs present to grace the occasion. Amongst the Choirs present were Catholic Church of Assumption Choir Zappa Asaba, Apostolic Church Choir Asaba, St. John Anglican Church Choir Anwai Road Asaba, and Christ Holy Church Choir Asaba.

The programme for the day moderated by Mr Bassey Asiekwu started at about 4: 50pm as against 4: 00 pm originally advertised. It started with Opening Hymn from Ancient and Modern Revised 224 – ‘Crown Him with many Crowns’ which was a congregational song and we have the following at the Organ – Mr Samuel Oladiran Faroore (Host Choir Organist), Dr Chidi Oku Guest Organist from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi who was until recently Music Director of Cathedral Church of St. Peter Choir, Mr Freeborn Eruviadje (Host Choir Organist), Sir Simeon Ukpedor, etc. The Opening Hymn was followed by Opening Prayers by the Archdeacon in the Cathedral who also gave the Welcome Address. This was followed by an Anthem from the Host Choir titled: I am the Resurrection (Chorus by Prof. Dan Agu).

Next on the programme was the first Bible lesson for the day taken by the youngest Chorister among the Host Choir, Miss Kwuluje Glory from Isaiah 53: 1 – 2. After the first bible reading it was the turn of the first Guest Choir, Christ Holy Church Choir Asaba to perform. The rendered an anthem which gave them standing ovation at the end of their performance. Then we heard the second Bible reading taken by one of the Host Choir organist, Sir Simeon Ukpedor read from Psalm 2: 1 – 9. After this was the turn of another Guest Choir, Catholic Church of Assumption Choir Zappa Asaba. Of all the Guest Choir present, it was this Choir that came with the highest number of Choristers. They thrilled the audience well and they received an outstanding ovation at the end.

The congregation had the opportunity to join in the singing as we had a congregational song taken from Ancient and Modern Revised 375 – ‘Let All The World In Every Corner Sing’. The third Bible reading by Dame Isioma Nwabuoku, Secretary Delta State House of Assembly Commission and a member of Cathedral Church of St. Peter taken from John 20: 10 – 18 came up. It was followed by a Solo Performance done by Miss Chinelo Okolo. The Host Choir also presented Awake the Harp (Chorus by Joseph Haydn). Then it was the turn of Engr. Henry Chuka Omo (KSC) a prominent member of Cathedral Church of St. Peter to read the fourth Bible reading. It was taken from John 11: 20 – 27. The fourth Bible reading was following by a Solo Performance done by a male Guest singer after which The Apostolic Church Choir took the stage.